asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of families likely to benefit by the provision made in the recent Budget to pay children's allowances for the first child, the estimated cost, the number who will benefit from the increases for third and subsequent children, and the estimated cost.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Allowances.
73.
The information required is as follows:—
(a) The number of families likely to benefit by the provision to pay children's allowances for the first child is 309,000 made up of 225,000 families of two or more children at present in receipt of allowances plus an estimated 84,000 one child families who will qualify for allowances for the first time. The estimated cost of this measure is £772,500 in the current year and £1,854,000 in a full year.
(b) The number of families who will benefit from the increases for the third and each subsequent child is estimated at 155,000. Increases will be payable for 379,000 children in those families. The estimated cost is £426,000 in the current year and £1,023,000 in a full year.
In respect of the payment of an allowance for the first child, would the Minister say whether this allowance will be paid automatically or will there have to be a special application?
I could not say. The details have not been worked out yet.
Will the Minister indicate how much of these benefits will be absorbed by the 2½ per cent sales tax on food, clothing and school books?
It may be taken that in the family of three children, or more, there will be a net gain as a result of this.
Unless they buy their goods in £s worth.